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Community

Local Walmart Shoppers to “Fill the Truck” to Support The Salvation Army

Bangor, ME – Walmart and The Salvation Army announced today that they are partnering to help provide new toys and coats to local children for Christmas with the “Fill the Truck” toy drive at the Bangor and Brewer Walmart stores.

The “Fill the Truck” event will begin at 9:00 a.m. and run until 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 8, and everyone is invited to come and donate brand new toys and coats to be given to area children this Christmas. Upon arrival, shoppers will receive a list of suggested gifts to help fill the truck parked outside of the store. The coats and toys will then be distributed to children in need in the Greater Bangor area before Christmas. The collection is expected to provide gifts to more than 500 children, from newborns to age 17.

“This holiday season, we’re proud to work with The Salvation Army and help provide basic need items like food and clothes to our neighbors in need,” said Carrie Newey, Brewer Walmart Community Involvement Coordinator. “With strong support from our generous shoppers, we know we can bring smiles to more children this Christmas.”

The Bangor Salvation Army has seen an increase in the number of people seeking assistance in the past year, including many working families who have never sought help in the past. “Already this season, over 460 families have signed up for Christmas assistance,” said Captain Tim Clark, Corps Officer of the Bangor Salvation Army. “By Christmas, I expect that we will provide gifts for more than 1,500 children, along with holiday meals. That is why this effort by Walmart is so important.

“Although the focus of “Fill the Truck” is on brand new coats and toys, the families who come to us have a wide variety of needs this Christmas,” added Captain Clark. “The wish lists of many families include such basics as diapers, school supplies, baby items, hats, mittens, and even bedding. The greatest need is for new boots and gifts for teens. We are hoping to fill the truck with new items that will truly make a difference in people’s lives.”

Along with collecting new gifts during the event, there will be live broadcasts by radio station Q106 at the Brewer Walmart and Classic Hits I-95 at the Bangor Walmart.

“The Greater Bangor community is always so generous in meeting the needs of their neighbors,” said Captain Clark. “I am confident that they will help us to make this event a great success.”